Last year, all eyes were on my Bae as she turned 18. All other birthdays of the family members took a back seat as we focused on our Lovey’s debut.
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Beautiful inside & out, that’s my Bae. <3
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This year though, her Dad’s 50th birthday took centerstage. He had mini celebrations left & right, so our baby girl was overshadowed, teehee, and just had a low key celebration for her 19th. Her birthday comes exactly a week after her Dad’s.
As is my yearly custom, I started plans to make an extra effort for her birthday coz I want her to have one special day out of the 365 kahit papaano. But she made me pinky promise not to surprise her this year huhu. </3 She is so different from me, lol. She takes more after her dad. She doesn’t like being the center of attention. Buti nga’t pinagbigyan pa nya ako na mag-debut sya last year.
I promised her I won’t, but her BFFs had a different mind altogether. They connived with me to give her a small, yet meaningful & heartfelt, surprise.
At first, they wanted to show up in UST & greet her with balloons & cake, unfortunately, their schedules didn’t match up (the girls go to different colleges kaya iba-iba ang sked), so I just suggested a dimsum lunch nalang at Phoenix Court.
Since they started college, they haven’t been spending as much time as they used to, so I was happy to treat them to lunch. These girls have been friends for like forever, it’s like they are already sisters. I’m glad that Bae has this support group so close to home whom she can always count on.
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I swear, she gets prettier & prettier every year! <3
If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky. Aba Beh, ang sobrang swerte mo, TATLO yan! ;)) Taya na ng lotto, dali!
One of my favorite friendship quotes: “Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time, we grew up side by side.”
One measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss, but in the number of things they need no longer mention. You know you’re truly BFFs when you can be quiet with one another & still be comfortable.
Btw, Phoenix Court, which in my opinion offers the best Chinese food in the south, has 2 dimsum-all-you-can packages. One is all-dimsum priced at 800 net, the other is dimsum-PLUS priced at 1040 net.
There is one thing you’ll never stop doing in your life – filling my heart with immense joy. <3 Wish, Bae, and may all your dreams come true!
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Two days before her birthday, we had a simple family lunch at Fairmont Hotel. Spectrum’s Sunday Brunch has always been our Bae’s favorite out of all the buffets in the country because of the wild assortment of sushi spread (she is, after all, a Japanese baby at heart). Ever simple & selfless, she just asked for a celebratory lunch with the fam for her birthday, even though I told her she can have ANYTHING her heart desired as a gift.
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Whatever I did in my previous life must have been really incredible to have people as wonderful as you guys to be my family in this lifetime. <3
My happy plates..
and my happy Baes. <3
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Napakabait nya talagang bata. Remember THIS? I am so SO blessed to have such a kind-hearted, giving daughter. <3
And I’m not the only one who thinks so. I collected greetings from her friends & made a collage to share with you. She really charms her way into everyone she comes into contact with..
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On her actual birthday, I was going to order Japanese food from her favorite joint, SUSHI NINJA sana. But knowing we just spent a small fortune for her birthday lunch a couple of days prior at gustong makatipid, she requested for misua nalang. Always considerate, how did I ever get so lucky with this one??
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CLICK HERE for an authentic Chinese birthday misua recipe! 😉 Our sexy chef always makes one for our birthdays & she’s gotten quite adept. Plus a half-N-half cake coz only Bae & I eat chocolate. The rest of the fam like the white variety.
My dearest Bae, as you turn 19, these are the things I pray for you for the coming year. I pray you’ll know more joy than sorrow. I pray your laughter will ring through the heavens and draw others to you. I pray you’ll seek after God with your whole heart and always let Him guide your choices. I pray you’ll find joy even on the days when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. I pray you’ll be healthy, and your body will continue to grow strong. I pray nothing will ever crush your feisty spirit. And that when obstacles appear in your path, you’ll have enough determination to not let them stop you. I pray you’ll use your talents to lead others well. I pray that you will never stop learning, and never stop smiling. I pray that the coming year will hold plenty of nice surprises that will bring you delight & also teach you new things. I pray that your friendships will grow deeper, and that you’ll have friends who will stick by you no matter what. I pray that you’ll have discernment, but also be open to accepting direction & wisdom from those who have walked before you. I pray that when you have tough days, you’ll always know that God loves you, and so does Mommy.
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Of course, no birthday should pass without a gift. So in spite of her objections (“Mommy save your money nalang for when we go to US”), I forced her to choose one regardless. She truly deserves a nice splurge once in a while, don’t you think?
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Upon my prompting, she finally caved & asked for Apple Airpods as a birthday gift. However, I saw her looking longingly at the new MacBook Pro in the store, so I decided to get it on the spot to replace her current but old MacBook Pro laptop – the 2012 model (which is for sale btw, message me ;P). At least now she really got a wonderful surprise for her 19th birthday in spite of her heavy resistance! <3
Hope you had some happy birthday celebrations this year my love, no matter how simple & low key. :-* I appreciate you BIG TIME! <3
4 Comments
Happy birthday Jena!! <3
Btw, what's the bag she's wearing sa Power Mac pic? Is that a mini Pandora?
October 29, 2018 at 8:06 amThank you Chel :-* The one in Mac Store is a chanel boy bag. The one in Spectrum is a chanel WOC (wallet on chain). 🙂
October 29, 2018 at 8:18 amGrabe parang blooming si Jena. May jowakels na? Hahaha. Belated Happy Birthday to your hubby and Jena maam jane.
Namiss ko blogs mo maam jane. Good thing you decided to write again! I still visit your site everyday during your hiatus
October 31, 2018 at 10:09 pmThank you Grace. :-* Awa ng Diyos wala pang napupusuan si Bae! 😉 After college I will welcome acceptable suitors with open arms. But first they must meet my high standards kasi diba hindi naman basta-basta itong manok natin hehe.
November 1, 2018 at 11:42 am